5. ThinkCERCA | Words and Details

Read the passage.

Which words and details impact the meaning, tone, and mood of the passage?

Power outlets may be obsolete in the not too distant future. Forward-thinking citizens are already using solar backpacks to charge their mobile devices. Now companies are developing other wearable energy sources to power phones and tablets.

• not too distant future

• obsolete and forward-thinking

• power outlets and mobile devices

• already and developing

Read the sentence.

What is the author expressing by using the phrase "eager to grab up"?

Thousands of poor farmers are losing their land to giant corporations eager to grab up land on the African continent.

• Corporations are looking for land to buy in Africa.

• Corporations want to work with farmers in Africa.

• Corporations are quick to buy land before others do.

• Corporations are stealing land from poor farmers.

Read the passage.

Which meaning of the word "curious" is the author implying in the text?

The bird's behavior was curious. Typically, it would fly south when the weather turned cooler, but this bird appeared to be lost, flying in the opposite direction.

• excited to learn more about

• strange or unusual

• nosy, wanting to pry in other's business

• persistently questioning

Which of these words has a negative connotation?

• relaxed

• easy-going

• laid-back

• lazy

Read the passage.

What does the phrase "music to her ears" suggest about the author's feeling about the panda cubs? (Careful: ThinkCERCA has the answer wrong in their key.)

One of the giant pandas at the local zoo gave birth to her first litter on July 4th. Dr. Carrie Johnson monitored the birth of the pandas around the clock. It was a tense situation because the mother's blood pressure was dropping. When Dr. Johnson heard the cries of three giant panda cubs, it was like music to her ears.

• Dr. Johnson was soothed by the cries, knowing that the cubs were alive and well.

• Dr. Johnson thought the cries of the cubs were very loud.

• Dr. Johnson did not like hearing the cries of the cubs.

• Dr. Johnson was relieved to hear the cries of the cubs, knowing the mother would be OK.